Professional Observation - Glacier National Park - Going to the Sun Road

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - Glacier National Park - Going to the Sun Road
Region: 
Outside of the Advisory Area
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 04/07/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 


Observation made by: Professional Observer
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Avalanche Specialists with the USGS/NPS Going to the Sun Road Program travelled up GTSR, staying on road grade from Logan Creek to The Loop (~4300 feet elev). Went down the same route.

Wet snow conditions throughout the tour. Boot penetration was 20-30 cm into mushy wet grains. Visibility was limited at times but we did not see any new avalanche activity and found mostly stable conditions. Most recent avalanche activity was wet loose, up to D2 most likely running on Tuesday (4/4) when it was warm and sunny. These were observed on multiple aspects and mostly above 5000 feet elevation.

Also noted glide cracks on Heavens Peak (photo) and in a couple paths above GTSR.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Variable weather with a mix of broken, overcast, and obscured skies. Winds ranged from calm to moderate in strength, blowing mostly from the south-southeast. There were occasional periods of moderate to heavy rain that would last about 30-45 minutes followed by mostly dry weather. Above freezing temperatures during the tour, but at about 1300 noticed temps began to drop. Garden Wall weather station dropped from 35 deg F at 1200 to 27 deg F at 1400.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
RM; moderate rain, 2.6-7.5mm of water/hour